Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Hiking in the Snow

Thanks to everyone who responded to my last post - I really appreciate all of the advice.

It sounds pretty likely that we'll have to do some hiking through snow in late May, especially over the passes. I don't have any experience hiking through snow (last year's Memorial Day trip was to the Grand Canyon, where it was 107 degrees at the bottom of the canyon), so could anyone offer any advice on gear for the snow? How important are gaiters, crampons, ice axes and snowshoes? Is it safe to rent these items, or should I buy them? Other than learning to self-arrest, are there any other techniques that I should learn?

Thanks,
Jon

Late May snow is going to be pure slush in the day and it barely freezes at night in the high country.Even if it does freeze at night it's soft again by 9am.

That being said, gaiters are a necessity, period. I wear gaiters anytime of the year, snow or not.One of the worst things ever is to have snow piling up around your ankles in your boots. Cold feet and blisters will be next. I have scree gaiters for mid to late summer and knee highs when there is snow.

For snowshoes, I am not the one to be giving advice.

As for crampons, if the snow isn't soft enough for snow shoes but too soft to keep a grip in boots then put your crampons on. They aren't just for the steep stuff, they can be used on any terrain, ice or slush. In late May I have only a few times encountered snow that was deep enough or soft enough to warrant the use of snow shoes but, crampons and gaiters I have always had the opportunity to use.

Going over passes in the snow? Get an ice axe. If you want to use it as a walking aid get one that will touch the ground without you having to bend over much. I have a 55cm Kong Alpinlight, it weighs next to nothing. It can't be used as a walking aid on all but the steepes terrain, but I am comfortable enough of steep snow to where I feel that I don't need an extra appendage.

I know people who love their MSR Evo Ascent snowshoes. I have a couple different types of crampons for different types of conditions and my gaiters are the cheapest gaiters that REI sells.I think they are both the REI brand.Whatever you buy look for the lightest possible item that will still fit your need, your back and shoulders will thank you.

As for renting, if you're not going to be using winter gear enough to warrant the cost of buying every thing then, by all means, rent. If you're not a member of REI, join.
In my youth I used to work at REI and the cr@p, er, I mean, gear that we used to rent has all been upgraded to Asolo double boots, Grivel Crampons, Black Diamond ice axes and Atlas snowshoes. But, you can always find cheap stuff on Ebay too if you don't want to rent and don't want to pay full price.

And, as already mentioned on this board times 10, read Freedom of the Hills, if you haven't done so already.
Hope this helps.

An ice axe is semi-useless if you don't know how to self arrest, look for a course in basic snow skills or hit up a friend who knows. In May you should have reasonable temperatures so my gear choices would reflect it. Rent what you can if winter isn't something you are going to do, personally I prefer being out in the SoCal winter less people and a more pristine environment.

At minimum you should have ice axe, crampons, gaiters, W/B pants and jacket, GTX leather boots and expedition weight wool socks. Depending on snow depth snowshoes. The conditions will most likely be slushy during the day but as the sun goes down they will become crunchy and you will need crampons and again in the morning until the thaw. The main thing is to stay dry.

Check with this board and the rangers as you get closer to your trip for current conditions. The rangers will be very conservative with their estimates.

Bill

For your first time rent the stuff. You can rent: Snowshoes, Crampons, Ice Axe. Buy gaiters and waterproof, breathable pants.

You can rent all the stuff above at the sporting goods store by the corner of 395 and Whitney Portal Rd. I think it is called Lone Pine Sporting Goods. I was renting before I got hooked and bought it all.

If you want to buy it, I have a few recommendations:
Crampons - Black Diamond - $90-100
Ice Axe - Black Diamond - Around $70
Snowshoes - MSR Denali - $129
Gaiters - OR
Pants - Patagonia has a W/B pair for about $110 I sit in the snow in these things and never get wet.

BUY Freedom of the Hills well in advance of your trip. Skim everything and study the sections that will apply to your trip.

Good luck

Jon,

I've got a slightly different take on the waterproof/breathable pants thing. In my opinion, they're mainly for rain protection. I'd rather not be wearing them if I start sliding down a slope. Depending on the weather, you might find yourself walking in shorts. Just be aware that wearing long pants on snow functions as awesome sunscreen, and prevents the awful road rash you can get if you take a tumble. Marmot makes some pretty lightweight goretex gear that will protect you from the weather.

Crampons in May might be necessary in the early morning, depending on how cold it gets at night. Watch out for slightly slushy conditions with hard snow underneath. As the surface layer softens up, you may find that you have a bigger problem with your crampons balling up than with slipping on the harder layer underneath. Things can change rapidly as you move between areas that have had a different amounts of sun. If you're interested in a cheap pair of old-style strap-on crampons, contact me off line.

Jon, remember a big pack will get you back. you could use every piece of equipment talked about in previous posts, half of, or none of the above. May is the time of year any conditions are normal. If you have the strength to haul it all, take it, otherwise carry what you can and use your head to turn around when the time comes.

I'd second Sierra Stryder's comments. If I spend any time in the Sierra from late-May until the snow melts out, it's short days with a very early start. (This is all dependent on how much snow has fallen during winter and spring.) There have been plenty of times where we would have been better off trying to swim out rather than hike (major post holing). Snow shoes are useless in these conditions.

In the area of crampons: if you think you will need them (and you want to purchase), go for a pair of Grivel G-10, or Climb High CH-10(?). These will work with "any" shoe (I've worn G-10's with a pair of cross-training shoes).

Any ice axe will do as long as you know how to use it. One trick I like to use when the terrain gets steep is to collapse on of my trekking poles, use the axe in the uphill hand, and the other trekking pole in my downhill hand. This helps a lot with balance, especially if you are carrying a load.